§ Mr. Biffenasked the Minister of Power what is the estimated percentage increase in rates, earnings and productivity arising from the pay increase recently agreed for craftsmen employed by the British Steel Corporation; and what has been the percentage increase in productivity of these employees in the last three years.
§ Mr. MasonThe agreement provides, within a major reorganisation of the wage structure, for the consolidation into the time rate of certain bonuses and allowances, and it is not meaningful to calculate the percentage increase in rates. The average increase in earnings can vary 47W from 6½ per cent. to 9¾ per cent. depending on the level of activity in the industry. Productivity will not rise directly from the agreement but from measures accepted under it such as job evaluation, work measurement and full co-operation in local productivity arrangements. The Government is now considering the agreement from the point of view of incomes policy. I am asking the Chairman of the British Steel Corporation to write to the hon. Member about past productivity performance.